About Teri
Helping Small Business Owners Build Stronger, More Sustainable Businesses
I believe business owners deserve more than bookkeeping and software support. They deserve a trusted advisor who can help them understand their numbers, improve their systems, and make informed decisions with confidence.
My goal is simple: help you gain clarity around your business finances so you can focus on what you do best.
My Story
My journey as a business owner began in 1996 when I founded Waltzing Bear Music with the support of a private equity angel grant.
For the next ten years, I traveled throughout the Southeast and Pittsburgh region selling traditional Appalachian musical instruments, CDs, and books at festivals and events. As the owner of a retail business, I was responsible for every aspect of operations, including inventory management, sales, customer service, financial management, business planning, vendor relationships, marketing, and growth.
Like many small business owners, I quickly learned that passion and hard work alone are not enough to sustain a business. I’ve learned that businesses often struggle not because owners aren’t working hard, but because they don’t fully understand their financial picture. The idea that “the money will come later if I just work hard now” simply isn’t true.
Understanding your Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, cash flow, and operational costs is essential to making sound business decisions and building a sustainable future.
From Business Owner to Business Advisor
In 1999, I became a member of the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program and completed an accounting certificate to strengthen my understanding of business finances and financial reporting.
As my experience grew, so did my passion for helping other business owners avoid the challenges I had seen firsthand.
In 2004, I began transitioning from retail operations into bookkeeping services for small businesses.
By 2007, I shifted my focus entirely to helping business owners through:
- Business consulting
- QuickBooks training
- Bookkeeping support
- Inventory and operational systems
- Financial organization and planning
Today, I continue to work with businesses across a wide range of industries, helping owners better understand how their business operates and what their numbers are really telling them.
Why I Do This Work
I genuinely love working with small business owners.
I understand the excitement that comes with starting a business. I also understand the challenges, frustrations, and uncertainty that can come with trying to manage everything on your own.
Because I’ve been there.
I know what it’s like to wear multiple hats, make difficult decisions, and try to balance growth with financial reality.
That’s why my approach always starts with listening.
Before recommending software, reports, or processes, I take time to understand:
- How your business operates
- What challenges you’re facing
- What goals you’re working toward
- What information would help you make better decisions
Every business is different, and every solution should be built around the realities of your business.
Experience & Credentials
For more than two decades, I have worked with small business owners throughout the Pittsburgh region and beyond.
My experience includes:
- Small business ownership
- Retail operations management
- Bookkeeping and accounting support
- Business consulting
- QuickBooks training and support
- Inventory management systems
- Point of Sales systems
- Warehouse management processes
- Financial reporting
- Staff training and education
Professional Credentials
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program Member (since 1999)
- Accounting Certificate
- Independent QuickBooks Consulting Professional
- Business Consultant
- Bookkeeper
- Trainer and Educator
- QuickBooks Product Support Specialist
Training & Education
I provide training and support for:
- QuickBooks
- Point of Sale Systems
- Inventory Management
- Warehouse Operations
- Business Processes
- Financial Reporting
My teaching style focuses on breaking down complicated concepts into practical, easy-to-understand steps.
Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of businesses throughout the Pittsburgh area improve their financial organization, understand their systems, and build confidence in their operations.
My Approach
Listen First
The most valuable conversations happen before the reports are reviewed. Understanding your business, your goals, and your challenges helps create solutions that actually work.
Create Clarity
Financial reports should not feel intimidating. I help break down bookkeeping, QuickBooks, reporting, and operational systems into practical information that business owners can understand and use.
Build Sustainable Systems
The goal isn't to create complicated processes. The goal is to create systems that are organized, manageable, and sustainable as your business grows.
Support Growth
When business owners understand their numbers, they gain confidence. That confidence often leads to better decisions, stronger planning, and healthier business growth.